Coupling



J. MERCIER May 9, 1950 COUPLING 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 6, l946 INVENTOR y 1950 J. MERCIER 2,507,261

COUPLING I Filed March 6, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 fig. 7.

INVENTOR dean Mere/9n y 1950 J. MERCIER 2,507,261

' COUPLING Filed March 6, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet s I, {In I "180 INVENTOR dean/Merck) Patented May 9, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COUPLING Jean Mercier, New York, N. Y.

Application March 6, 1946, Serial No. 652,305

Claims. (01. 285--132) The present invention relates to couplings for joining together thin-walled tubes in end-toend relationship without the threading of the tubes. My invention is particularly applicable to the joining of tubular conductors in high fr quency electric circuits where it is desirable to provide an electrical connection between the tubes, which will not interfere with the transmission of the current.

In certain electrical transmission systems, such as radio transmission lines, high frequency currents are normally carried by coaxial lines in which the outer and inner conductors are in the form of tubes, the tubes forming each conductor being placed in end-to-end relationship. The inner conductor is normally spaced from the outer conductor by a series of rings of a nonconducting material, such as a plastic, and also by a suitable gas. Both the inner and outer tubular conductors carry high frequency currents along the surfaces thereof and, consequently, it is necessary to avoid any substantial interruptions in the flow of the current along these surfaces. These and other requisites of couplings for such lines render the usual types of couplings unsatisfactory.

The joint between adjacent tubes must be of such character as to provide a good electrical connection so that there will be no substantial interruption in the flow of the current along the surfaces of the conductors. Moreover, since the high frequency flow is along the surfaces of the tubes, it is necessary to avoid any substantial deformation of the tube where the joint is effooted or resonance in the circuit will result. Gas under pressure is maintained between the inner and outer tubes and, consequently, the coupling must have the further requisite of officiently sealing the gas within the tube. There must also be suffioient gripping action between the parts of the coupling and the tubes to withstand the substantial axial pressures which are exerted from time to time tending to separate the tubes.

The coupling which I provide by this invention possesses all of the requisites just mentioned and is also of such character as to permit the preassembly of the parts of the coupling before they are applied to the tubular conductors.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment and one modified form of my invention. Inthe drawings,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a joint formed between tWo tubes by my improved coupling;

Figure 2 is a view taken along the line IIII of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a diametral section through one of the collars utilized in the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an end view of the sleeve of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a diametral section through the sleeve shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section through a modified form of my invention;

Figure '7 is an end elevational View of the inner ring of the structure shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a diametral section through the inner ring shown in Figure '7 Figure 9 is an end elevation of the inner sleeve of the embodiment shown in Figure 6;

Figure 10 is a diametral section through the inner sleeve shown in Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a longitudinal sectional view through a modified form of my invention; and

Figure 12 is a longitudinal sectional view through a further modified form of my invention;

Referring first to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, the tubes 3 and 3 are joined together in end-toend relationship by a coupling comprising a sleeve 4, collars 5, sealing rings 6, end plates 1, longitudinally extending bolts 8, having nuts 9 thereon, and a bolt Ill and a nut II for causing the plates l to tightly grip the tubes.

The sleeve 4 in which the ends of the tubes are positioned is in the form of a ring having an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the tubes. The inner face of the sleeve is serrated so that when the joint is formed the serrations will bite into the tubes and grip them tightly. In order to assure the proper positioning of the tubes in the sleeve, a radially extending projection 22 is provided adjacent the middle of the sleeve, this projection extending inwardly a distance approximately the same as the thickness of the tubes being joined together. Although the inner diameter of the sleeve is the same from one end to the other end, except for the projection just vmentioned, the outer diameter increases from each end toward the center so as to provide tapered.

or sloping faces 83 and M for cooperating with the tapered inner faces it of the collars 5. The sleeve 4 is continuous and not split longitudinally, although it will be readily apparent that 4 so that, as the collars are moved toward eachother and along the faces l3 and I4 of the sleeve, a gripping action between the collars and the tubes and between the sealing rings and the tubes will be obtained. Moreover, as these collars are moved toward each other, the sleeve 5, if split, will be compressed radially, and an ad ditional gripping action will be obtained thereby.

Each plate I is triangular in shape and is provided with a centrally disposed opening through which one of the tubes may extend. The opening through each plate is preferably substantially the same diameter as the tube to be mounted therein and is provided with serrations to cause it to tightly grip the tube extending therethrough. Each plate I is split in the manner indicated at I! and has projecting lugs l8 thereon. These lugs have openings therethrough for receiving the bolt Ill and, as the nut II is threaded on the bolt IS, the lugs H; are pulled toward each other and the diameter of the centrally disposed pening in which the tube is positioned is reduced and a tight gripping action between the plate and the tube positioned therein is obtained. If desired;

the tube may be slightly deformed in this way so as to provide a strong gripping action, although, where the coupling is used for high fre- The inner sleeve 3!! has an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the pipe members 2 and 3 to be joined together. It has an inwardly extending nib or projection 40 against which the ends of the tubes may abut. This nib extends radially of the sleeve 2. distance approximately the same as the thickness of the tubes to be joined so that the inner face of the nib will be approximately in line with the inner faces of the tubes. The inner face of the sleeve is provided with serrations 4| to provide .a ripping .action between the sleeve and the tubes when the joint is formed. The inner and outer faces of the sleeve are not parallel to each other, the outer r w vii quency electrical lines, such deformation of the tube is not desirable as it has a tendency to create resonance in the circuit.

Each plate 1 is provided with holes IQ for receiving the bolts 8. When the parts of the joint have been brought together, threading of the nuts 9 on the threaded ends of the bolts 8 will pull the plates 1. toward each other and the collars will be moved inwardly and will ride along the sloping faces 13 and ll of the sleeve so that the collars themselves will tightly grip the tubes. Of course, this operation is performed before the plates are brought into tight, gripping relationship with respect to the tubes.

It will thus be seen that the joint formed by my coupling not only provides a tight joint with the tubes, but also provides the necessary seal to prevent the escape of any gases.

Various metals may be utilized for the parts of the coupling, the choice of the material for the metallic portions of the coupling being determined by the material of the tubing. If the tubes being joined together are copper, a bronze sleeve, brass collars and brass plates are preferable. However, the tubes may be made of any suitable soft metal other than copper, such as aluminum and the like. In the choice of materials, it is merely necessary to avoid using metals which will set up an electrolytic effect.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in Figures 6 to 10, inclusive, it comprises an inner sleeve 30, an inner ring 3|, an outer sleeve 32, a metallic end ring 33, sealing rings 34 and 35 in the inner ring 3|, a sealing ring 36 positioned in a recess in the outer sleeve 32, end plates 31 and bolts 38 and nuts 39 for moving toward each other the plates 31.

diameter being smaller at one end than at the other end so as to provide a sloping outer face for cooperation with the sloping inner face 42 of the outer sleeve 32. The inner sleeve is slotted so that, as the joint is formed, the inner diameter of the inner sleeve will be reduced and the sleeve pressed into tight gripping engagement with the tubes.

The inner ring or collar 3|, which is positioned to one side of the inner sleeve, has an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the tubes being connected together. The inner face of this ring or collar is provided with a groove 63 which carries the O ring 35. This 0 ring provides a seal against egress of gases from the interior of the tubes. The outer diameter of this ring or collar is not uniform. The end closest the inner sleeve is bevelled, as indicated at 44, to cooperate with the sloping inner face 32 of the outer leeve 32. Adjacent the other end of this ring the outer face has a groove 45 which carries the sealing ring 34. This sealing ring extends between the ring or collar and the outer sleeve, and provides a seal against egress of gases from the interior of the tubes.

The outer sleeve 32 has an outer diameter substantially greater than the diameters of the tubes and is provided with a recess for receiving the inner sleeve and the inner ring and another recess for receiving the end ring 33 and the sealing ring 36. The one recess is open at the one end of the sleeve and the other recess is open at the other end of the sleeve. Between these recesses the inner diameter of the outer sleeve is approximately the same as the outer diameters of the tubes. The face d2 of the recess forming the chamber in which the inner sleeve and inner ring are positioned is tapered for cooperation with the tapered outer surfaces on the inner sleeve and inner ring so that, when the plates 3? are moved toward each other and the outer sleeve moved along the inner sleeve, the latter will become contracted into tight engagement with the tubes.

The end ring 33 and the sealing ring 36 extend around the one tube and are positioned within the groove in the one end of the outer sleeve. This end ring does not provide any gripping action on the tube, but, as the joint is formed, it exerts pressure on the sealing ring 35 so that it is in. tight contact with the tube 3. This sealing ring prevents egress of gases from the interior of the tubes.

The plates 31 are similar to the plates 1 of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, and are slotted and provided with lugs for permitting the clamping of them on the tubes. These plates also have openings in them to receive the bolts 38 for pulling the plates toward each other in the assembly of the coupling. The openings through the plates 3-? may or may not have serrations for providing a tight grip on the tubes. In this embodiment, the inner sleeve is slotted and serrated and a tight grip on each tube is obtained by this arrangement so that is not necessary that the openings through the plates 3'! be provided with the serrations to afford a strong gripping action between the plates and thetubes.

As is apparent from the above description. the plates 31 are moved toward each other by the bolts 38 and the nuts 39 and, as they are moved toward each other, the inner sleeve is forced into gripping engagement with the tubes. After the parts have been moved longitudinally to the position illustrated in Figure 6, the plates are clampedon the tubes in the manner illustrated in Figure 2'.

I It will be seen, from what has been stated, that this embodiment also provides the necessary electrical connections between the tubes, a sealing of the tubes against egress of gases contained therein, and the necessary gripping action to prevent longitudinal movement of the tubes from disrupting the joint. In this embodiment, various diiferent metals may be employed for the metallic parts and various elastic materials may be employed for the sealing rings. Where copper tubing is used, the sleeves, rings and plates are preferably of bronze or brass. The seaii-ng rings are preferably made of natural rubber, synthetic rubber or some other synthetic elastomer.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 11, the tubes 2 and 3 are joined by a coupling comprising an inner sleeve 50, a plate 5|, a collar 52 integral with the plate 5!, sealing rings 53 and 54 carried by the plate and collar, a plate 55, a sleeve portion 56 integral with the plate 55, a sealing ring 5?- carried by the plate and sleeve 55 and 55, and bolts 53 and nuts 55 for moving the plates axially toward each other.

The inner sleeve 5% is similar to the inner sleeve 4 of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 and has an inwardly extending nib against which the ends of the tubes abut. This nib extends inwardly a distance approximately the same as the wall thickness of the tubes so that the inner face of the nib is in the same plane as the inner faces of the tubes. The outer diameter of the sleeve 5!! decreases from the center toward each end to provide a bevelled face so for cooperation with the bevelled inner face iii of the collar-like extension of the plate El, and a tapered face 62 for cooperation with the inner tapered face 53 of the sleeve-like extension of the plate. 55.

The plate El and its collar-like extension are provided with an inner groove 64 and an. outer groove 65 in which the sealing rings 53 and 54v are positioned. The ring 53 effects a seal between the collar or plate and the tube extending therethrough, and the sealing ring 54 effects a seal between the collar and the sleeve 56 which extends over the recess in the outer face of the collar.

The plate 55 and the integral sleeve 55 carry a recess 65 in which the sealing ring 5'3 is positioned. This sealing ring effects a seal between the sleeve and plate 55 and the tube 3 which extends therethrough.

In this embodiment, as the plates 5| and. 55

are pulled toward each other by the bolts 58 l and the nuts to, the collar-like extension of the plate 5! rides on the one bevelled face of the inner sleeve and the sleeve-like extension 58 of the plate 55 rides on the other bevelled face of the inner sleeve, and the collar and sleeve are caused 6 to gri the tubes extending therethmugh. In the case of small tubing, it is not necessary that the inner sleeve be slotted, but, in some instances, it may be desirable to slot the inner sleeve so that the sleeve can be made to more tightly grip the tubes.

Thus it will be seen that in this embodiment of my invention the necessary electrical connection between the tubes will be effected, the tubes: will be tightly gripped so that the jointv cannot be pulled apart by the axial pressures encoun tered in normal use, and the joint will be. sealed. against egress of gas from the tubes.

In Figure 12, I have shown a further embodh ment of my invention.

The coupling of this embodiment comprises an inner sleeve Ill, a collar H, sealing rings 12 and 13 carried by the collar, an outer sleeve T4, at scale ingring 15 extending between the outer sleeve and the tube 3, and a nut internally threaded for cooperation with the external threads on the. sleeve '14.

The inner sleeve 19 is similar to the inner sleeve 30 of the embodiment shown in Figures 6 to 10, inclusive, except that the slope of the outer face is greater in the case of the embodiment shown in Figure 12. The sleeve Ill has a nib 11 against which the ends of the tubes abut and the inner face of the sleeve is serrated to provide the desired gripping action on the tubes. The sleeve is preferably slotted to increase the gripping action on the tubes, although, for tubes three-eighths of an inch in diameter or less, slotting of this sleeve is not necessary.

The collar H may be made integral with the sleeve '50, although, in Figure 12, it is shown as being a separate part. This collar has an. innerdiameter substantially the same as that of the. tube around which it extends. The inner face. is provided with a groove it and the outer face isv provided with a groove 79 in which the sealing rings 12 and 13, respectively, are positioned.

The outer sleeve 14 has an inner diameter adjacent the one end sufficiently great. to permit it. to extend. over the collar and the sealing rings carried thereby. The end portion of the sleeve extending over the collar has a uniform inner diameter. The other end of the sleeve has a uniform inner diameter substantially the same as that. of the tube 3 and between these two portions the diameter progressively decreases from the larger to the smaller diameter so as to provide a bevelled face 80 cooperating with the bevelled outer face of the inner sleeve l0. The outer sleeve is provided with a recess. 8| near one end thereof in which the sealing ring 15 is positioned.

The nut 16 has a, radially extending flange 82 against which the collar ll abuts. When the parts are placed in position, the threading of the nut 16 on the sleeve 14 pulls the sleeve 14 along the inner sleeve l0, and the inner sleeve is forced into tight engagement with the tubes.

Thus it will be seen that in this embodiment also the requisite gripping of the tubes, the sealing of the tubes against egress of gases therefrom, and the requisite electrical connection between the tubes are obtained.

While I have shown and described one embodiment and several modified forms of my invention, it will be understood that my invention is not limited thereto. For example, the necessary gripping action between the end plates and the tubes can be obtained in various ways. Also, the inner and outer sleeves or collars may assume various shapes. It is contemplated that my invention may be embodied in any of the several forms falling within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A coupling for joining together coaxial tubes comprising a sleeve extending around the adja cent ends of the tubes to be joined, said sleeve having an inner diameter substantially the same as that of the tubes to be joined and a radially extending stop member intermediate the ends of the sleeve, said sleeve also having tapered outer surfaces, an outer member extending at least partially over said sleeve and having a tapered inner face cooperating with a tapered outer surface of the sleeve, a sealing ring positioned between said outer member and the adjacent tube for effecting a seal therebetween, a second outer member extending partially over said sleeve and having a tapered inner face cooperating with a tapered outer surface of the sleeve, a sealing ring positioned between the adjacent tube and said second outer member, and means for moving said outer members axially long the tapered outer surfaces of said sleeve to force parts of the coupling into gripping engagement with the tubes.

2. A coupling for joining together coaxial tubes comprising an inner sleeve extending around the adjacent ends of the tubes to be joined, said sleeve having an inner diameter substantially the same as that of the tubes to be joined and tapered outer surfaces, an outer member having a tapered inner face surrounding and cooperating with a tapered outer surface of the inner sleeve, sealing means extending between each of said outer members and the adjacent tube, and means for moving the outer members toward each other axially of the tubes and for causing said members to ride over the tapered outer surfaces of the sleeve whereby parts of the coupling are brought into gripping engagement with the tubes.

3. A coupling for joining together coaxial tubes comprising an inner sleeve extending around the adjacent ends of the tubes to be joined, said sleeve having an inner diameter substantially the same as that of the tubes to be joined and tapered outer surfaces, an outer member surrounding the inner sleeve and having a tapered inner surface cooperating with a tapered outer surface of the sleeve, a second outer member having a tapered inner surface for cooperation with a tapered outer surface of said inner sleeve, at least a part of said second outer member extending between the inner sleeve and said first mentioned outer member, sealing means extending between each of said outer members and an adjacent tube, and means for moving the outer members axially of the tubes toward each other and along the tapered outer surfaces of the inner sleeve.

. 4. A coupling for joining together a tube and ally around the tube and at least partially oven the inner sleeve and having a tapered inner surface cooperating with the tapered outer surface of the inner sleeve, a plurality of sealing rings of rubber or the like, one of said sealing rings forming an airtight seal between the tube and said second sleeve, at least one of said rings; forming a seal between the second mentioned. sleeve and the outer member, and means for com-- pressing radially the inner sleeve while moving the outer sleeve toward the outer member.

5. A coupling for joining together coaxial tubes comprising an inner sleeve extending around the adjacent ends of the tubes to be joined, said sleeve having an inner diameter substantially the same as that of the tubes to be joined and tapered outer surfaces, an outer member extending over the said sleeve and having a tapered inner surface cooperating with the tapered outer surface of the inner sleeve, a second outer member having a tapered inner surface cooperating with a tapered outer surface of the inner sleeve, said first mentioned outer member extending partially over the second mentioned outer member, sealing means between the outer member and the adjacent tube and between the second mentioned outer member and its adjacent tube, sealing means between the first mentioned and second mentioned outer members, and means for moving the outer members longitudinally along the tapered outer surfaces of the inner sleeve for bringing parts of the coupling into tight engagement with the joined tubes.

JEAN MERCIER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 438,752 Lauson Oct. 21, 1890 887,859 Smith May 19, 1908 1,948,274 McMurray Feb. 20, 1934 2,355,871 Kraft Aug. 15, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 431,320 Great Britain July 4, 1935 

